Mitigating Post-Election Trauma through Mindfulness and Decentering among First-Time Voters in Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined predictive influence of mindfulness and decentering on post-election trauma of first time voters. The participants were undergraduate students of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam Campus, Nigeria (males = 38.4%; females = 61.6%). Ages of the participants ranged from 18 to 32 (M_age = 20.77; SD = 3.26) years. Test of hypotheses using multiple linear regression analysis (Enter Method) indicated that mindfulness negatively predicted post-election trauma. Also, decentering was a negative predictor of post-election trauma among undergraduate first time voters. This study concluded that post-election trauma could be mitigated through mindfulness therapy in the presence of decentering. The implication is that positive psychotherapy intervention built on the premises of mindfulness and decentering could enhance reduction in post-election trauma.